Dzulkefly: Over Half A Million Adults Suffer From Four NCDs

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is facing a worrying public health crisis as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and heart disease continue to pose a major threat to public health.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), more than half a million adults in the country suffer from at least four major NCDs simultaneously.

He said statistics also show that one in six adults has diabetes, while one in three suffers from high blood pressure.

“This situation is not merely a personal health issue, but also has a significant impact on the national economy, which is estimated to incur losses of about RM64.2 billion annually due to NCDs,” he said when speaking at the launch of the ‘Mai Kurang’ Recipe Book and the ‘Rewang Bersama Komuniti’ programme at the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial today.

Dzulkefly said among the main causes of the rise in NCDs are unhealthy dietary habits among Malaysians, including excessive intake of sugar and salt.

“NHMS 2024 data show that 47 per cent of adults consume sugar beyond the recommended level, while three out of four adults consume excessive salt,” he said.

He said the situation requires a more comprehensive approach to change public health behaviour, not merely awareness campaigns.

In this regard, he said the Ministry of Health (MOH) is now focusing on a choice architecture approach to encourage healthier food choices among the public.

Meanwhile, he said the launch of the ‘Mai Kurang’ Recipe Book is one of the key interventions to support the effort.

“This book serves as an intervention tool that makes it easier for the public to prepare healthy meals that are lower in sugar, salt and calories in a simple way while meeting local tastes,” he said.

Dzulkefly said efforts to address NCDs require a shift from a treatment-based approach to one focused on prevention and wellness, which requires the cooperation of all parties, including the private sector, communities and individuals.

-- BERNAMA